Introduction

The Gyana Project as it was given
name by His Holiness Sakya Trizin, was first conceived by the late Khenpo Migmar
Tsering who was then the abbot and principal of The Sakya College. It was a
dream project for him about which he talked often to his colleagues and friends.

And for him, it was also a
possibility too because his knowledge of Dharma and capability in work were
renowned and evident from his exemplary tenure as the abbot of Sakya College.

If the late Khenpo had lived,
perhaps he would have realized this project himself. His sudden illness and
tragic demise was a great loss not only to his students and the Sakya School but
also a great loss to the Dharma.

The late Khenpo's only regret
before his sad demise was that he could not complete his lifetime wish, which
was to translate the works of the great Sakya Masters. But during his final
days, Kh๖ndung Gyana Vajra Rinpoche who is His Holiness Sakya Trizin's younger
son promised his dying teacher that he would fulfil his teacher's dream as a
tribute to him.

Message
from His Holiness Sakya Trizin

To expound the history of the Sakya School, the
teachings of the five founding masters of Sakya Lineage and the Six Elegant
Ornaments of the Land of Snows, the collection of their grand essence teachings
and their translation in English is essential. If such a publication is
possible, then it would be of great benefit to the western academics and the
students of Dharma

I
am pleased to learn that The Gyana Project, which is undertaken by my son Gyana
Vajra, will work to translate the teachings and
commentaries of the Great Sakyapa Masters into English.

Such
a collected work would give a complete insight to the whole Buddhist canon of
Tantra and Sutra (Vinaya, Prajnaparamita, Madhyamika, Adhidharma, Pramana and
differentiating the three vows). The unique approach and method of teaching and
commentary of the great Sakyapa masters have been highly revered and studied
intensively for centuries in Tibet.

So far,
these important works have been used and studied mainly by Tibetans and Tibetan
speaking community because any form of their translation is rare. The project is
undertaken keeping this in mind and is for the benefit of all students and
followers of the Sakyapa School and Dharma in general. I hope the project will
be a great success and completed as soon as possible for the benefit of all the
sentient beings.

With
prayers and blessings,

Yours
in Dharma,

His Holiness Sakya Trizin17th November 99

The
Project Realization

The project has the blessings of all the great Sakya masters of our times and is
to be undertaken at the International Buddhist Academy in Kathmandu, Nepal. The
Scholars working on this project will reside at the institute's complex and will
be adequately provided for there.

The
institute's founder most Venerable Khenpo Appey Rinpoche who also founded and
headed the Sakya College has already extended his blessing, appreciation and
support to the project.

Learned
scholars who would be recruited on basis of their merit and knowledge will
undertake the translation. A panel of experienced translators who would check
and edit the translated work will supervise them.

Throughout
the process, renowned scholars and masters of the Sakya School will carefully
monitor the project, so that translation of the master's work is accurate and
authentic.

Project Cost

The
project, which is to begin, very soon is expected to take up to seven years. The
expected cost of the project is about ten million Indian Rupees or US$300,000
approximately.

Although
the stipulated expenditure of this project is quite high, the project work
itself will begin as soon as the initial amount for the basic amenities and
requirements are met.

All
major contributors will constantly be notified of the progress of the project
and will be provided detailed information about the works of Sakyapa Masters

Project
Funds

The funds for the project will be raised through donations from dharma followers
and friends. We would be appreciating any and all forms of human, financial and
material support. Please send all contributions addressed to "Sakya
Center". Do indicate in your letter that the donation is meant for the
Gyana Project or send it along with the attached donation slip on this brochure.
All contributions will be gratefully acknowledged and sincerely appreciated.